1.   Although the islands straddle the equator, the days are comfortable and the evenings are cool.

2.   The islands also straddle key shipping lanes and are believed to sit atop oil and gas deposits.

3.   The islands straddle important sea lanes and are believed to be rich in oil and mineral resources.

4.   The islands straddle major shipping lanes and are believed to sit atop rich oil and gas deposits.

5.   The islands also straddle major shipping lanes and fishing grounds.

6.   The islands straddle vital sea lanes in the South China Sea and are the surrounding seas are believed to be rich in minerals and fish stocks.

7.   The uninhabited rocky islands straddle fishing grounds and sea lanes, and possibly mineral resources.

8.   The disputed islands straddle a fish-rich zone that is also said to hold huge mineral reserves.

9.   The islands straddle the key sea route for oil tankers and other ships passing through the Suez Canal.